Bears extend Eddie Jackson to four-year deal

The Bears have signed safety Eddie Jackson to a four-year, $58.4 million contract extension, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported. The deal gives him the highest annual salary of any safety in the league.

This signing, as well as the price to which he was signed, come as no surprise, as Jackson has quickly established himself as one of the best safeties in the NFL. With two Pro Bowls and one first-team All-Pro nomination in three seasons to his name, he has been a difference maker for Chicago’s defensive backfield.

Through three seasons, Jackson has 10 interceptions—three of which having been returned for touchdowns—26 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries for touchdowns and 184 tackles. He finished second in the league in interceptions in 2018 with 6. Though his production fell off a bit in 2019, teams took notice of his skill set and threw to him less. He still out together a solid season, racking up 2 interceptions, 5 deflections and 60 tackles.

Bears general manager Ryan Pace doesn’t typically extend players who still have a year left on their contract this early, but this move makes it apparent that re-signing Jackson a priority for Chicago’s front office. They now lock up one of the cornerstones of their defense locked up through 2024.